Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has been confirmed among the dead in the crash of Air India flight AI171, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, was carrying 242 people when it plummeted into a residential neighbourhood, killing 241 on board and at least 28 on the ground. It is now the deadliest single-aircraft aviation disaster in India’s history.
Rupani, 68, was captured on CCTV footage at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport just hours before the crash. He was reportedly travelling to London to join his wife Anjali and daughter. State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi received Anjali Rupani at Ahmedabad airport after the news was confirmed.
The aircraft slammed into the B.J. Medical College hostel building in the Meghani Nagar area, crushing parts of the structure and killing students and residents inside. The sole survivor of the crash, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated beside an emergency exit and escaped with minor injuries.
Authorities confirmed that a “Mayday” distress call had been issued shortly after take-off. The aircraft reached only 625 feet before vanishing from radar. The black box and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and are currently being analysed by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with assistance from US and UK experts. No formal cause has yet been confirmed, though initial speculation from pilots and aviation analysts points towards a possible flap misconfiguration and loss of airspeed, compounded by drag from landing gear that remained extended.
Rupani’s passing has prompted an outpouring of grief across India’s political landscape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident had “stunned and saddened” the nation, adding, “It is heartbreaking beyond words.” Tributes have also been posted by senior leaders from both national and state politics, remembering Rupani’s tenure as Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021 and his role in shaping Gujarat’s economic strategy.
The aircraft, introduced into Air India’s fleet as part of its long-haul international service, had no prior fatal incidents and is part of Boeing’s modern Dreamliner series. Thursday’s crash marks the first deadly accident involving this aircraft type since its commercial launch.
Rescue operations continued into Friday, with dozens of victims yet to be formally identified. Forensic teams are working with hospital staff and emergency responders at the site, while investigators are expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days.
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